What I Spent This Week as a Technology Contract Manager Making $99K

Ever wondered how others really manage their money?

In the A Week in My Wallet series, we share it all, because talking about money shouldn't be off-limits.

Every week, an anonymous member shares a week of their spending: no names, no filters, just honest stories about life's everyday financial choices.

Ready to join the conversation and help make money talk less taboo? Share your own story via our form here.

Monthly Take-Home Pay (after tax): DKK 31,000 ($4,650)

Do you share expenses with someone? Nope

What is your overall monthly budget?

• Rent: DKK 4,000 ($600)
• Bills & Subscriptions: DKK 1,200 ($180)
• Groceries & Essentials: DKK 3,000 ($450)
• Investment Contributions: DKK 3,000 ($450)
• Union and a-kasse: DKK 1,000 ($150) monthly (billed quarterly)
• Pension Contributions: DKK 6,000 ($900)
• Transport: Minimal due to cycling, though bike repairs can cost around DKK 1,500–2,000 ($225–$300) occasionally.

Amount left each month after essentials (to spend, save or invest): DKK 12,000 ($1,800)

Dependents (if any): None

My Relationship with Money

Growing up, did your parents or guardians educate you around money?

No – my parents are pretty awful with money and made some bad decisions throughout my childhood. Neither of them have a private pension, despite owning their own business, so it really inspired me to set up my own pension and investments from a young age as I worry about them a lot. Like many people in their 60s, they rely on the property market going up to fund their future pension.‍

What was your first job and why did you get it?

I was babysitting every day during the summer holidays after I turned 15, for a single mum in my area who needed help getting her two sons up and out in the morning. I was earning €10 ($11) an hour, which was a generous rate 15 years ago.

Did you worry about money growing up?

Yes, I grew up during the financial crash, so money was a big topic and I was made very aware of taxes and bills by my parents.

At what age did you become financially responsible for yourself and do you have a financial safety net?

I was totally financially independent when I graduated university at age 25. I have a safety net of only DKK 85,000 ($12,750) in cash, as I prioritised plenty of travelling and a high pension contribution the past few years, so I’m focused on building that up.

Do you worry about money now?

I automatically worry about money as I grew up with a lot of financial anxiety. I get very tense about unexpected costs and always want to earn more. I often have to remind myself to treat myself and live in the moment with the money I’ve worked for. I have the habit of checking the price of everything and being hard on myself for not always shopping around.

What is your biggest money regret?

My biggest money regret would probably be taking out a credit card when I was 21 to fund some travels in Canada. My parents found the letter outlining the debt and agreed to give me an interest-free loan to pay it off as quickly as possible if I agreed not to engage with credit cards anymore.

I learned about interest in real life through that and was grateful for the second chance. I haven’t had any debt since.

I am passionate about living debt-free, as much as possible, as this is essential for allaying my financial anxiety.

What financial goals are you working towards?

Building up my cash safety net.

Who is your financial role model (if any), and why?

I don’t have any at the moment.

Reflections on My Spending Habits

I’d say I’m surprised how little I spent on coffees, but I can also see where I got hungry and was disorganised, so I indulged in takeaways. Luckily, some of that was with my friends so it was sociable too.

What I Spent In A Week

‍

Day 1: Monday - DKK 31 ($5)

• DKK 895 ($134) — Acupuncture (reimbursed through insurance)

• DKK 31 ($5) — Metro‍

‍

‍‍Day 2: Tuesday - DKK 165 ($25)

• DKK 129 ($19) — Netto groceries

• DKK 36 ($5) — Contraception (Apotek)‍

‍

Day 3: Wednesday - DKK 246 ($37)

• DKK 246 ($37) — Vinted‍

‍

Day 4: Thursday - DKK 160.50 ($24)

• DKK 70 ($11) — McDonald's

• DKK 43 ($6) — Starbucks

• DKK 47.50 ($7) — Metro‍

‍

Day 5: Friday - DKK 159 ($24)

• DKK 32 ($5) — Føtex

• DKK 127 ($19) — Wolt‍

‍

Day 6: Saturday - DKK 693 ($104)

• DKK 693 ($104) — Sushi

‍

‍Day 7: Sunday - DKK 0 ($0)

• DKK 0 ($0) — I didn’t spend anything on Sunday, just used what I had in the apartment.

‍

Total Weekly Spend: DKK 1,454.50 ($218)

‍